Russia, U.S. agree to work on ending war in Ukraine

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia,— Russia and the United States agreed Tuesday to work toward ending the war in Ukraine and improving diplomatic and economic ties, according to officials from both countries.

The announcement followed talks in Riyadh between U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.

Rubio said the two sides reached a broad agreement on three key issues: restoring staffing levels at their embassies in Washington and Moscow, forming a high-level team to support peace talks in Ukraine, and exploring closer economic and diplomatic cooperation.

“These discussions mark the beginning of a longer process, and more work remains to be done,” Rubio told reporters. Lavrov called the talks “very useful” and said both sides “not only listened but also heard each other.”

No Ukrainian representatives were present at the meeting. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said his government would not accept any agreements made without its participation. He postponed a planned visit to Saudi Arabia, which had been scheduled for Wednesday.

Relations between Washington and Moscow have deteriorated since Russia annexed Crimea in 2014 and worsened further after its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

The U.S. and its European allies imposed sanctions on Russia, leading to diplomatic expulsions and restrictions on embassies.

Rubio said ending the conflict in Ukraine could open opportunities for U.S.-Russia cooperation on geopolitical and economic issues.

The meeting was seen as preparation for a future summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Kremlin foreign policy advisor Yuri Ushakov told Russia’s Channel One that no date had been set for the summit but that it was unlikely to take place next week.

Lavrov confirmed that Washington and Moscow would appoint representatives for “regular consultations” on Ukraine. U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff, who attended the meeting alongside U.S. national security adviser Mike Waltz, described the discussion as “positive, upbeat, and constructive.”

This meeting was the most extensive direct contact between U.S. and Russian officials since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Previously, Lavrov and then-U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken met briefly on the sidelines of a G-20 summit in India.

The absence of Ukraine from the talks has raised concerns among European allies. French President Emmanuel Macron said he spoke with Trump and Zelensky after a European Union meeting on Monday to discuss the situation.

French President Emmanuel Macron stated on social media that a lasting peace in Ukraine requires Russia to halt its aggression and be accompanied by firm and reliable security assurances for Ukraine.

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth recently stated that NATO membership for Ukraine was unlikely and suggested Kyiv might have to reconsider its territorial claims. Waltz added that discussions on security guarantees and territorial issues would be necessary in any negotiation.

The meeting in Riyadh took place at the direction of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, according to Saudi state media.

Saudi Arabia has maintained relations with Russia through the OPEC+ oil alliance and has played a role in prisoner negotiations. The kingdom also hosted Zelensky for an Arab League summit in 2023.

Zelensky postponed his visit to Saudi Arabia, rescheduling it for March 10. Ukrainian officials said they were not invited to the U.S.-Russia talks.

The war in Ukraine continues, with Russian forces launching attacks overnight. Ukraine’s military reported that 176 Russian drones targeted multiple areas, with most being shot down or disabled.

In Dolynska, Kirovohrad region, a drone strike hit a residential building, injuring a mother and her two children and prompting evacuations. Additional drone debris damaged homes in the Cherkasy region, according to local officials.

(With files from AP)